Click on a link to order
a model or the logo to see the complete range from that manufacturer |
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| MOM038 |
Windjet Landcraft 2001 - kit |
£61.70 |
| MOM038M |
Windjet Landcraft 2001 - built |
£132.20 |
| MOMWSR002 |
Bluebird Jet Boat 1947 - kit |
£63.45 |
| MOMWSR002M |
Bluebird Jet Boat 1947 - built |
£176.25 |
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If you
ever needed proof that many model manufacturers are slightly mad you
need look no further than Mach Oneÿs Windjet! We have to admit to
showing Ian Jones the magazine article which inspired this model but
we didn't seriously think he'd go through with it! The subject is
a British built, wind-powered speed record contender which has taken
the British record to 114mph and is going for the World Record when
funds allow.
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The kit checks out
well with the photos in the article and on Windjet's website and will
make a simple but enjoyable build project. The huge composite sail
on the top can be pivoted, just like the real thing, and there is
a fine p/e pitot tube speed sensor above the cockpit. If you collect
land speed record subjects this is a must, either to build yourself
or as a superbly finished hand built. Rather more predictable a subject
is the jet powered Bluebird K4 hydroplane. The Rolls Royce Goblin
engine produced 5000lbs of thrust and in theory would drive Sir Malcom
Campbell to speeds of around 160mph. Unfortunately it was very unstable
and has been consigned to history under 'heroic failures'! The boat
was based on the pre-war hull which had achieved a new record of 142mph
and the kit is also based on the pattern for the previous version.
Originally made by LSR productions and designed to be made in white
metal, the main structure is now resin. When we saw a previous incarnation
of this boat we had assumed that the gap between the two parts of
the hull was down to cooling shrinkage in the metal castings, but
the resin has the same space all around so it is obviously a problem
with the mould. When building the kit you may wish to run some filler
around this edge to smooth it all in. Otherwise the shape is very
good and a well detailed white metal jet engine is included. This
is visible through a removable hatch and again this doesn't fit brilliantly
so it would be best to display the model with the hatch removed. The
overall finish of the built model is very good and it is smartly presented
on a wooden plinth (also included with the kit). Just keep it on a
low shelf in the cabinet so you are looking down on it and can't see
the joint in the bottom of the hull but can see the lovely motor....
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| POR014 |
Subaru Impreza WRC Sanremo 99 #25 |
£40.00 |
| POR023 |
Toyota Corolla Monte C. 01 #28 Castrol |
£36.40 |
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| Two more very colourful rallying
subjects from Portal, both based on Racing 43's excellent metal kits.
The decals are clearly drawn and printed (by Interdecal) and the original
R43 instructions are supplemented with clear colour photographs of
the built model for decal placement and colour references clearly
stated in Spanish, English and French. The livery on the Impreza is
particularly vivid and the car was driven by Spanish hot-shoe Luis
Climent. The Corolla has a variation on the classic works Castrol
livery and was crewed by the Swiss pairing of Burri and Patthey. |
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| Due to the nature
of the subjects Portal choose being the more spectacular cars visually,
rather than performance wise, we can't tell you how they finished.
But does it matter? Both will make spectacular looking models. This
range deserves more support! |
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Click on a link to order a model or the logo to
see the complete range from that manufacturer |
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| MID031 |
Scarab Bridgehampton 1964 Hansgen
- kit |
£44.05
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| MID031M |
Scarab Bridgehampton 1964 Hansgen
- built |
£132.20
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| MID032 |
Scarab Riverside 1965 #7 Pabst
- kit |
£44.05
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| MID032M |
Scarab Riverside 1965 #7 Pabst
- built |
£132.20
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| MID033 |
Scarab Mosport 1964 #8 Foyt -
kit |
£44.05
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| MID033M |
Scarab Mosport 1964 #8 Foyt -
built |
£132.20
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| MID034 |
Scarab Nassau 1963 #77 Foyt -
kit |
£44.05
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| MID034M |
Scarab Nassau 1963 #77 Foyt -
built |
£132.20
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| MID035 |
Scarab Riverside 1965 #12 Hansgen
- kit |
£44.05
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| MID035M |
Scarab Riverside 1965 #12 Hansgen
- built |
£132.20
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| MID036 |
Scarab Riverside 1963 #9 Foyt
- kit |
£44.05
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| MID036M |
Scarab Riverside 1963 #9 Foyt
- built |
£132.20
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In FSW 06/2002 we made the first
mid-engined Scarab kit we'd seen a Model of the Month. As with the
previously released kit the shape of these is very good, while the
resin body and white metal ancillaries are well cast. The same comments
as previously also apply to the builts with excellent paint finishes
and some finely applied detailing only let down by some slightly casual
detail painting, particularly around the front air intake. There are
however detail errors on just about all of them and these are easily
spotted when compared to photos in the Lerner/Friedman Scarab book
which we believe Midlantic have!
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| We'll go in chronological
order: Foyt's 1963 Riverside machine looks very good but, for this
race only, the rear view mirror was mounted to the drivers right,
not in the centre. Nassau Î63 checks out well when compared to the
paddock shot taken on arrival at the circuit. Several modifications
were made prior to the race, including the addition of Goodyear decals
and brake scoops on the lower flanks ahead of the wheel arches. So,
accurate for the start of practice but not the race which Foyt won.
By the end of this race the car was looking very second hand! Mosport
/ Bridgehampton 1964, not much wrong except that by this time seat
belts were being worn. Also in one shot of the Hansgen Bridgehampton
winner (the last major win for Scarab) the rear tyre has a Firestone
gold band decoration. You may wish to add tyre decals. Riverside 1965,
seat belts and tyre decals missed on both cars. The fact that Pabst's
car ran different styles of wheel front and rear has been caught however.
These are all silly details that are clearly visible from photographs
and easily amended by kit builders but it really shouldn't be necessary,
especially not on models that are produced to such a high standard
in terms of casting and finish. Kit instructions show some improvements
with colour views of the finished model for decal placement, colour
references given for all parts and a clear exploded diagram assembly
drawing. Decals are generally well printed but the white part around
the front air intake looks as if it will need a lot of solvent. Perhaps
this is why the black painted intakes on the built models are so uneven.
Colour photos of most of these can be found in FSW 09/2002. |
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| PM2777
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Porsche 917LH Le Mans 1971 #21 Martini
|
£46.30
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For those who prefer slightly
more challenging build projects than the usual PM kit this is for
you. We've seen these parts previously as the Gulf car and one or
two areas need filling or sanding to adapt to the silver Martini sponsored
machine, one of the most spectacularly liveried machines to have raced
at the Sarthe.
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| These modifications
are briefly mentioned in the instructions and shouldn't pose any problems
to the more experienced builder we would expect to be going for these
kits anyway. The instructions could be a little more comprehensive
considering the high level of detail in the kit but they do just about
give enough info to assemble the parts and there are a number of good
books for reference on the 917. More PM kits follow on the next page...
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